Minnesota experiences some of the most extreme temperatures of any state in the union. Winter temperatures often drop far below zero, while summer temperatures can be in excess of 90ºF. Most homeowners know that sub-zero temperatures and snow can damage their roofs, but what about mid-summer heatwaves?
Heat can affect the roof of your home in the Twin Cities area. Even ordinary summer temperatures on sunny days may lead to wear and tear on your roof over time. Continue reading to learn more about how heat can impact your roof – and what you can do to prevent damage to your roof this summer.
How the Heat Can Damage Your Roof
There are a few different ways that high heat can cause damage to your roof. In general, consistent temperatures in excess of 85ºF place your roof at risk of damage, but there are other factors at play. Negative impacts of intense heat on your roof can include:
Thermal Shock
Certain roofing materials, particularly asphalt shingles, are vulnerable to thermal shock. This is a condition that occurs when materials experience a rapid shift in temperature in a short period of time. During a summer in Minnesota, roofs might bake in temperatures of 85 to 100ºF, only for temperatures to plummet to around 60ºF at night. When thermal shock occurs, roofing materials will expand and contract in accordance with temperature shifts. Thermal shock can loosen roofing nails, crack flashing, weaken seals, and warp shingles. This damage makes your roof more vulnerable to leaks and further damage.
UV Degradation
During the summer in the Twin Cities, the ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun are particularly intense, especially on hotter days. If it’s 90ºF outside, temperatures of asphalt shingle roofs may rise as high as 170ºF. Direct exposure to UV rays for about 15 hours a day, every single day, can take a serious toll on the integrity of roofing materials over time. Asphalt shingles are particularly vulnerable to UV exposure, since the binder within breaks down over time. This can result in the loss of granules, fading and cracking of shingles, and ongoing deterioration.
Extreme Heat Buildup in Attic
When your roof heats up during hot summer days, temperatures in the attic can rise higher still. Inside a poorly ventilated attic, temperatures can climb as high as 150ºF when the outdoor temperature is 90ºF. This extreme heat build-up can literally bake your roof from beneath, damaging both wood decking and roof shingles. Shingle adhesives may actually melt if attic temperatures rise too high, resulting in expensive damage to your roof.
How to Protect Your Roof from Intense Summer Heat
While there’s not much you can do about the hot summer weather in Minnesota, there are things that you can do to protect your roof from extreme heat:
Schedule a Summer Roof Inspection
A good first step is to schedule a summer roof inspection with a professional roofing contractor in the Twin Cities metro. Your roof inspector will be able to identify signs of heat damage, including small things you might miss, such as loose flashing or fasteners. From here, they can recommend any needed roof repairs to prevent further damage. While heat can have a detrimental effect on your roof, winter tends to be an even harsher season. By inspecting your roof and resolving issues in summer, you can get your roof back in good shape before winter comes.
Improve Attic Ventilation
Having good ventilation in your attic will mitigate the risk of heat damage to your roof. Making sure that your attic has good airflow will prevent hot, stagnant air from building up and increasing temperatures to over 100ºF. Sometimes, just cleaning out existing ventilation can make a huge difference. However, if your existing attic ventilation system is inadequate, you might need to install new vents or fans.
Schedule a Roof Inspection in the Twin Cities Metro
At Arko Exteriors, we provide free roof inspections to determine the extent of heat damage to roofs, allowing us to recommend the best course of action. Give us a call today if you’re interested in scheduling an inspection or roof repair services in the Twin Cities metro area!